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Ancient 



AND 



Modern 



Windsor 



Ancient and Modern 
Windsor 



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FarminKton River 



Published by the 



Wiqdsor Business Men's Association 
Windsor, Connecticut 

Copyrighted ItU 



• W7Cf 



)CI,A34S2(;0 




ANCIENT AND MODERN WINDSOR 

While Captain Adriacn Block and his doughty Dutch crew were preparing to sail from New Amsterdam on 
that long voyage in the year 1G14, during which they found and explored the "Fresh" River (later known by its Indian 
name "Connecticut") it is unlikely that thev even dreamed that they were to achieve distinction in history as the first 
white men to gaze upon the virgin loveliness of the territory called "Matianuck" by the Indians, and in later years 
"Uorchester" by settlers from Dorchester, Mass. (who had come from Dorchester, England), and finally in \GM-i. 
re-named "Windsor," in honor of the royal abode of English sovereigns. 

Nearly two decades after Block's expedition Dutch fur-traders completed a fort called "The House of Good Hope" 
(at the place now named Dutch Point, on the Connecticut River, at Hartford), as a place to which they could retreat 
after consummating a deal for beaver skins with the guileless Indians. 

Hardly three months later "a large, new bark" owned by the Plymouth Trading Company of the Massachusetts 
Bay Colony, and manned by a sturdy Pilgrim crew under command of Lieutenant William Holmes, sailed up the 
river Answering hails from the fort. Holmes brought the bark to anchor long enough to explain his mission. He 
was under orders to proceed north to Matianuck, which the Plymouth Company had lately arranged to purchase of the 
Indians through Nattawanut and other Indian sachems. This place was located at the junction of the ' Rivulet — 



originally named Scposc (Little) Tunxis (Crane) or Little Crane River by the Indians (afterward the "Windsor" and 
finally the "Farmington" River by the white men) — with the "Connecticut." A trading post was to be established there. 

As most of the Indians with furs to barter came down the river from the north, this scheme of the English to 
establish a trading post six miles above them was regarded by the Dutch with well-concealed, if any, joy. 

They commanded Holmes to return to Plymouth, but he curtly told them that he should follow his orders to the 
letter, and desi)itc threats from the Dutch that the two cannon in the fort would be fired upon the vessel, she weighed 
ancliur and proceeded on her way — and the cannon were not discharged ! 




-TMia «OC*^ Hlk«MS -»^v 




On Kidee Adjoinini; Plymouth Meadow, on "The Island' 



Later the Dutch reported to their New Amsterdam headquarters that the party reached "Matianuck" Sept. 26, 
1633, and erected a house (the frame of which had been carried on the vessel) near the bank (of the "Connecticut") 
about 80 rods from what was then the location of the mouth of the "Rivulet" — actually a point approximately 
opposite Stony Hill (so called today). This was the first dwelling house erected in Connecticut. 

Two years later (1635) Jonathan Brewster, the Resident Manager for the Plymouth Company, wrote to his 
employers from Matianuck: "Ye Massachusetts men are coming almost dayly, some by water and some by land. 




■Elmwood"— Homfstcad of Oliver Kllsworth. Third Chic-f Justice of the United Slates, now owned by 
Connecticut Society of Dauuhters of American Revolution 



Many of them Iciok at tliis place which we liave ... to be a great towne ami have commodious (Iwcllings for 
many years." This letter seems to refer to people from Dorchester and contains a mild complaint of the fact that 
while stopping at "Plymouth Meadow" (so-called) as guests of the Plymouth settlers, they gazed with covetous eyes 
upon "Great Meadow," which was directly north from "Plymouth Meadow" across the "Rivulet." Finally they 
hinted their intention to settle there but were told that "Great Meadow" belonged to the Plymouth Company by 
purchase from the Indians. 

Being thus repulsed, the Dorchester people went on up the "Connecticut" to find another place in which to 
settle. They returned shortly in a discouraged mood with reports of failure. During their absence a sailing vessel 
bearing a party of twenty (including men, women and children), headed by Mr. Francis Stiles, had arrived, and 
without so much as a "by your leave" of anyone, taken possession of "Great Meadow" in the name of "The Lords and 
Gentlemen, Patentees of Connecticut," an English company chartered to "rule New England in America." Mr. Stiles 
also acted under direct orders from his employers, in thus taking possession. 

However, in this emergency, the Dorchester people quickly made up their minds to dispossess Stiles, and 
occupy "Great Meadow" themselves, despite the protests of the Plymouth men. This they did by right of numbers 
and assigned to Mr. Stiles and his party a smaller meadow to the north, which in later years was known as "Sequester 
Meadow." 

Like many of the other earliest settlers, Mr. Stiles built a dug-out "cellar" in the bank, where he lived for some 
time. This "cellar" was on the site afterward built upon by Oliver Ellsworth, the third Chief Justice of the United 
States. His mansion, "Elmwood" (so-called from the thirteen elm trees he planted about it in recognition of the 
thirteen colonies) is now used for a museum and as State Headquarters by the Daughters of the American Revolution. 
Washington and Lafayette both visited Mr. Ellsworth here. 

The original (Bissell's) ferry across the Connecticut was north of here, just op|)osite the present Sixth District 
School House. 

The fact is recorded here for its interest only that for many years during the period of its greatest extent, the 
town of Windsor owned the territory (jceupied by all the Windsors on both sides of the Connecticut River, as well 
as Ellington and Wintonbury (now Bloomfield). 



These facts arc shuwn with interesting detail by ancient maps restored and copied witli intinitc difficulty by 
Windsor's present Town Clerk, Mr. George R. Maude, to whom, for his painstaking care and restoration of old records, 
which are among the most valuable historical documents in America, the town is much indebted. 

Mr. Stiles's dug-out "cellar" home has been referred to. These were usually walled inside with logs or stones. 
Anyone who is interested may still see the remains of one such on the "Island" near the old "Loomis House" on 
the original highway or "Meadow Road" to Hartford. 




Part of this house, whicli is pictured herewith, is said to have been built Ijclore 16"j8. Il was added to 
considerably between 1600 and 169.5. 

There are two houses of brick, the material for which "they say" was imported from England. In later years 
almost every farmer in certain sections of the town had a brickyard on his own farm and lirii kin.iking in early 
summer was part of the routine of farm work. 

Although considerably changed since the time that the old Moore liouse slooil on the Bowlulil Green (now- 
Broad Street Green), this, one of the oldest houses in Windsor, built prior to 1600, may now be seen on Elm Street. 

At the north end of the "Green" referred to, which was a small bit only of the east boundary of the Bow Field — 
(roughly s|)eaking, this seems to have been boumled on the cast by the present Broad Street and Poquonock Avenues, 




Si. Gahrids R. C. Church 



south by Stony Hill, west by Cook Hill and north by the high land adjoining Mill 
Brook) — the whipping-post and stocks stood in early days. Here is where, as 
recorded May 15, 1724, "Friend Shiveu sat in the pillory and his right ear cut off 
for making plates for bills." In recent years the public signpost stood at the 
same spot, which is now occupied by the guidepost indicating the roads to Windsor 
Flocks and Poquonock. 

A few hundred yards from the south end of tlie Green, about opposite St. 
Gabriel's Roman Catholic Church, one of the town "pounds," for straying domestic 
animals, was kept. Another was kept on the west side of Palisado Avenue, just 
north from the present Bissell's Ferry Road. 

The present bridge across the Farmington is the third one, the others 
liaving been destroyed. The "Rivulet Ferry," often referred to in the earliest 
records, was about 40 rods easterly from this bridge. 

This locality was the scene of Windsor's many years of experience as a busy Port of Entry, when coasting and 
foreign sailing vessels came up the Connecticut and Farmington Rivers (the latter was then navigable as far as 
Poquonock) and unloaded their cargoes, largely comprising rum and molasses, and 
carried away in exchange for same, cattle and other live stock, bricks, copper ore from 
the (Newgate Prison) mine at East Granby, and staves for the "pipes" (casks holding 
two hogsheads) in which the West Indians shipped their rum and molasses. These 
staves were made from wood gathered in Pipe Stave Swamp, on what is now called 
"Pipe Swamp Road," and were made into shape at a stave mill just north of the 
Holcomb place (the birthplace and boyhood home of the poet, Edward Rowland 
Sill), facing "Palisado Green." 

This Green gets its name from the palisade which was built around the 
meeting-house, the old burying ground (the oldest in Connecticut and still in use) and 
the houses of the principal men, as a protection against the Indians. Signs of this 




palisade arc still pointed out. 



Historic (.ontcreeutional Church, 
founded by Dorchester Settlers 



"Little Meadow," east of the General Electric plant, was in tlie spring for many years the scene of "General 
Training Day," an occasion when all the able-bodied men in town were called together for military instruction. 
These were occasions of much general jolliruation. 




FarminKton River above Po<|uonock 



The map shown on page 8 is reproduced by the courtesy of Hon. Lewis Si)erry from Stiles' "History of 
Windsor." It heli)s in following this necessarily sketchy story of ancient Windsor, which serves principally to remind 
of the record which makes Windsor's past history an inspiring one and a source of just |)ride to her citizens of today — 
a pride that stimulates and stirs their hopes and ambitions for her future. 




Broad Street and C«rcen in Modern Windsor, showing HB^^ MemorinI Fountain 
Old eliriB HhowD were set out Id 1755. 




^PM* 




Methodist Church 




Union (UndenominiUioniilj Church, Wilson's Station 



Grace (Episcopal) Church 



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Modern Windsor, with its 4,250 inhabitants, comprises the closely connected villages of Wilson's Station, Windsor, 
Hayden's Station, Poquonock and Rainbow. Four of these villages have their own post-offices, and the whole town is 
fully served by Rural Free Delivery carrier. 

In addition to a pure, invigorating atmosphere, which makes Windsor an ideal place for children to grow up in, 
the town has practically all the desirable features of the ideal suburban residential place. 

This means that nearly all the modern social, educational and physical advantages and improvements that are 
available to city dwellers may be had here, without the city's disadvantages of noise and odor-laden atmosphere and 
houses too closely crowded together to make possible a reasonable privacy. 

A fifteen-minute trolley service connects with Hartford, six miles south, and a half-hourly service with Springfield, 
which is twenty miles north. In addition, as Windsor is on the main line of the New York, New Haven & Hartford 
railroad (half-way between Boston and New York), seventeen passenger trains stop each day. There are three railroad 
stations, providing for different sections of the town. Special low rates are given commuters on both railroad and 
trolley lines. Good land may be obtained in Windsor for farming or building purposes at reasonable prices. Taxes 
are based on actual market value; the rate, as this is written, being 1 1 mills. Telephone service, and gas and 
electricity for lighting, cooking and power, are available at fair rates. Windsor's streets are lighted by electricity. 

Windsor has an ample supply of pure water and an excellent sewerage system. A volunteer fire department 
maintains good equipment, including a Gamewell Fire Alarm System, and gives willing and efficient service. 




High School 



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Old General Mather House. BuiU in 1777 



There are nine public schools, including a $30,000 High School of exceptionally high educational standards. The 
building is now undergoing extensive enlargement. 

The Windsor Public Library- contains a large variety of books in all fields of literature. These books are chosen 
by a capable and liberal-minded reading committee and are in charge of a most efficient librarian. A Reading Room in 
connection with the Library offers all the principal periodicals. The Library Association is accumulating a valuable 
collection of curios and relics, principally associated with Windsor history, and asks donations of such articles from 
anyone who may have them. The Library temporarily occupies the old "General Mather" place, which is shown 
on the preceding page, pending the accumulation of a rapidly growing endowment fund. 

The new Loomis Institute, which was endowed many years ago with a fund which has become available only 
recently and amounts to $2,125,000 will break ground for its first building this spring and will open in September, 1914, 
as a boarding school for boys, with departments for day pupils of both sexes. It will be situated facing north on the 
"Island" — which is a part of the "Plymouth Meadow" tract, where the first settlers of Windsor located. It will offer 
courses of high-school grade in agriculture, business and domestic science, as well as the traditional college preparatory 
work. Properly qualified pupils from Windsor will be given preference over all others except members of the Loomis 
family. Through the generosity of the founders there will be no charge for tuition, the only expense to pupils being for 
board, lodging, books and other incidentals. 

The Campbell School for Girls is a private home school under the capable direction of A. H. Campbell, 
A. M., Ph. D., and Mrs. Marian Blake Campbell, O. M. The school is located midway of the beautiful village Green, 
known in earlier years as the Bow Field Green. The school is undenominational. Parents are asked to indicate 
which of the churches in town they would prefer their daughters to attend. These churches include the Union 
(undenominational), Episcopalian, Catholic, Methodist and Congregational. 

A charter has been obtained by business men of the town for the establishment of the Windsor Trust and 
Safe Deposit Company, and organization was effected May 21, 1913. 

The Windsor Hotel is a well-conducted and attractively located house, providing creditably for the entertainment 
of permanent or transient guests. Two well-equipped public garages are near by. 

The Casino building connected with the Hotel is used frequently for private and semi-public card or supper 

12 



parties and dances. Some of the frequent informal banquets of the Windsor Business Men's Association are given 
here. At these very popular gatherings interesting addresses arc given on various topics of live interest by specially 
invited speakers. Several public halls aflford meeting-rooms for various organizations and opportunities for all forms 
of entertainment, and the social activities of the town are such that, except for a small portion of the year only, there 
are no evenings when one or more of these gathering places is not engaged. 




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TtlC LOOUtS iNSriTVTC 

H C w T a IK I 



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"The Home"— Campbell School for Girls 

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Winpoq Fish and Game Cluh 



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"The Home"— Campbell School for Girls 

14 





ii!^.^. 



Winpot) Fi^h and Gume Club 



15 



The Emergency Aid Association was started at the suggestion of the town's capable and efficient physicians. Its 
purpose is to maintain and supply, as required, medical and surgical apparatus and supplies for free use in emergency. 

Just outside of Rainbow village is "Rainliuw Park," a favorite recreation resort during the summer for picnic, boating 
and fishing parties, Sunday-school excursions, and particularly patronized for the "Fresh Air Outings" given for the 
poorer children of the neighboring city of Hartford. 

Sage Park contains probably the best half-mile trotting track in New England. It is used principally as a 
training track and for semi-public matinees by members of the Sage Park Club, the Free-For-AU Driving Club, the 
Road Drivers' Club and the Speedway Club of Hartford. The Park is owned by Mrs. Louisa M. Sage, an enthusiastic 
lover of fine horses, who maintains it almost entirely at her own expense. 

Windsor offers what few suburban towns can offer, both a railroad freight station and an Adams Express office. 
These are required by the farming, manufacturing and tobacco-raising industries of the town. 

The farming is varied. The richness of Windsor's soil is proverbial. The extensive market gardens of Christensen 
Brothers in Wilson's Station represent a model farm of its kind, while throughout the town tomato-growing is largely 
followed, a ready market being found through the medium of the Windsor Canning Company, which has a thoroughly 
equipped cannery, handling apples, squash, pumpkins, and other vegetables and fruits. 

Windsor is famous as the very center of the great Connecticut valley tobacco-raising industry, upward of 2,000 
acres being devoted to this crop. 

The principal manufacturing establishment in Windsor is the Eddy Electric Corporation, owned by the General 
Electric Company and employing about 300 men and women. Here also are the Bedortha level and cigar-box board 
manufacturing establishments and the ancient grist and saw mill (now owned by Chas. Lewis), both located on historic 
Mill Brook. The original mill was owned by John Warham, and was given him by the town. 

In Poquonock are the large factories of the Dunham Hosiery Company, the Health Underwear Company 
and the Hartford Paper Company, while at Rainbow are the mills of the Vernon Paper Company and the Merwin 
Paper Company. At Rainbow also the State maintains a forest nursery covering upward of 106 acres. 

There are several brickmaking establishments — the large one of the Wilson Brick Company at Wilson's 
Station being a model of its kind. 

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MASONIC ULILUING 



H) 



'1 





St. Joseph's R. C. Church 



POOUONOCK VILLAGE 

As Windsor s earlier name, "Matianiick," came from the 
Indian tribe which occupied it and sold it to the Plymouth 
settlers, so that portion of the town called Poquonock was 
named for the tribe who lived there when it was purchased. 
It was settled in 1649, and in 1724 a Congregational Church 
being organize<l there, the name, "The Second Society," was 
applied thereafter for many years to the whole section more 
generally even than its original name. Poquonock is now, as 
it has been for many years, an important manufacturing and 
tobacco-raising village. 

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ConKregational Church 



It will \)c obstTvud that Windsor's manutacUiring industries arc well clistributL-d and a|)art from the residential 
section throughout the several villages, so that their advantages are not offset by any annoyance from smoke or noise. 
In fact, the great extent of the town makes its possibilities for manufacturing expansion very great indeed, without any 
danger of a disturbance of its present attractiveness. There are many factory sites available along the railroad. Tobacco 
warehouses are needed more and more every year, and places await them also along the line of the railroad. 




Windsor Hold ;ind Casino 

The increase of industries of our own and neighboring towns constantly requires the building of more homes, 
and much land particularly adapted for this purpose is to be foun<l in convenient sections of the town. 

It should be remembereil also that within the town limits may be found a large coal and lumber yard, livery and 
teaming stables, barbers, greenhouses, ice dealers, steam laundries, grocery, meat, hardware, drug and other stores and 
establishments of various kinds for the sujiplying of all ordinary needs. 



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Reference has been made to the Windsor Business Men's Association, an energetic organization, the direct purpose 
of which it has found to be best served by the constant endeavor to secure for Windsor such advantages and improvements 
as make it a pleasant town to dwell in. 




Canal, Rainbow Park 

22 



This is a worthy ambition, and the fact that the steady increase in population has caused the Association to 
set a "5,000 population" mark before it for early accomplishment is one of the excuses for this brief story of "Ancient 
and Modern Windsor." 

Windsor cordially invites the reader of these lines to take advantage of the vacation season to visit the town. 
If this Association is advised of the proposed visit, it will endeavor to furnish all information desired and to otherwise 
assist as much as possible in an investigation, which can only result in impressing a conviction that no pleasanter place 
to live in could be found. 

For the loan of photographs and cuts and willing assistance in various ways the writer and the other members 
of the undersigned committee, for themselves and for the Windsor Business Men's Association, cordially thank Dr. 
A. H. Campbell, Hon. Lewis Sperry, Miss I^ouise H. Osborne, Miss Kate SafJord, and Messrs. Murphy and Dana, 
Wm. H. Lockwood & Sons, C. R. Hatheway, \. H. Batchelder (Head Master of Loomis Institute), C. W. 
Gamerdingcr, A. H. House, W. S. Leek, C. H. Goslce, Theodore Herzer, Edwin Snelgrove and many others. 

GEORGE E. CROSBY, [R., Chairman 
C. C. MAXFIELD 
F. H. VOUXG 
F. A. WEST 
CHARLES E. STI.NSON 




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Copies of this brochure may be obtained 

at ten cents each of the 

Windsor Business Men's Association 



juN 2 nu 



PLIMPTON PRESS 
HARTFORD. CONN. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



012 608 958 2 



Conservation Resource 
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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



012 608 958 2 



Conservation Resource 
Lig-Free« Type I 
Ph 8.5, Buffered 



